Quentin Letts loomed large in Twitter's 'trending' list at lunchtime yesterday.
Wondering whether he'd popped his clogs or if someone had discovered Mr. Letts to have been employing a ghost-writer, I was astounded to see umpteen posts expressing shock and dismay at this article in the Daily Mail.
(link via freezepage.com)
One of today's 'targets', John Prescott, tweeted thus:
Quentin Letts says I should kill myself, Archbishop Sentamu should get elocution lessons & Keith Vaz 'de-oil' http://bit.ly/sEtGnp#hatemail
Richard William Littlejohn, Daily Mail
Kelvin Calder MacKenzie, Daily Mail
Letts is the type of writer who is finding that in order to ensure journalistic longevity inevitably means his becoming ever more acerbic, hyperbolic and meaningless. Others of that ilk are Richard Littlejohn and Kelvin MacKenzie.
These writers are self-opinionated, intractable and entirely predictable.
They write the columns aimed at readers who crave an occasional fix of ridiculous parody from those who see buttons clearly marked'DO NOT TOUCH' and take great delight in pressing them, aware of the effect their words will have. Most people are accustomed to their style and give their particular brand of sophistry no more credence than is warranted by the average yapping and irritating Yorkshire terrier.
The three men I've mentioned are all employed by the Daily Mail. Other titles have their own eccentrics too, - the Daily Mail's quota is just larger.
Much more dangerous and concerning than the doltish bigotry of this immature trio, is the number of deliberately provocative and completely inaccurate articles printed in many of the the papers, whether red-top or broadsheet.
Paul Dacre, Editor, Daily Mail
The relatively recent introduction of online fact-checking teams likeFull Fact and the many media-watching blogs such as Zelo Street, Minority Thought , dedicated to highlighting the inadequacies and corruption of elements of the press and some journalists here in the UK, is a much needed attempt to remedy a dire situation.
Perhaps the Leveson Inquiry will come up with a system of press regulation which will ensure those who buy newspapers are presented with facts and not a distortion of the truth intended to further the ambition or forcefully expressed will of their owners or Editors, as seems to happen all too often now. Perhaps.
As the end-of-2011 bandwagon trundles noisily past, Richard William Littlejohn tosses aboard this little offering and laboriously hoists himself up to join Q. Letts. How sweet.
"I want this inquiry to mean something", not end up as "footnote in some professor of journalism'sanalysis of 21 century history." LJ Leveson in reply to A Rusbridger's submission to Inquiry.
Lord Justice Leveson
The Panel :
Top row (left to right)
Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights group Liberty
George Jones, former Daily Telegraph political editor
Sir David Bell, former chairman of the Financial Times
Bottom row (Left to right)
Elinor Goodman, former Channel 4 political editor
Lord David Currie, former chairman of Ofcom
Sir Paul Scott-Lee, former West Midlands chief constable
Here's a quick reminder of the four modules within this first year of the inquiry.
Module 1: The relationship between the press and the public and looks at phone-hacking and other potentially illegal behaviour Module 2: The relationships between the press and police and the extent to which that has operated in the public interest Module 3: The relationship between press and politicians Module 4: Recommendations for a more effective policy and regulation that supports the integrity and freedom of the press while encouraging the highest ethical standards.
Chronology of the phone-hacking investigation since 2005 - long, very detailed article from New York Times. Written by Don Van Natta Jnr, Jo Becker and Graham Bowley, Sept. 1st 2010 :here
1.28 p.m. "This just broken from News Int - the publisher of the News of the World has settled a cluster of phone hacking claims against politicians and celebrities -
News International can confirm that seven claims against News Group Newspapers (NGN) and Glenn Mulcaire have been settled following discussions with News Corporation's Management and Standards Committee, acting on behalf of NGN. The claims are Mark Oaten, Ulrika Jonsson, Abi Titmuss, Michelle Milburn, Paul Dadge, James Hewitt and Calum Best. NGN has agreed to pay appropriate sums by way of compensation and costs and have expressed regret for the distress caused."
From Telegraph Live Blog: 12:56 James Dingemans QC, counsel for the Daily Express, has expressed his concern that the inquiry is being "highjacked" and turned from its "inquisitorial" nature into one which is increasingly "adversarial", with journalists being given questions for which they are not prepared.
13:04 Leveson interrupts a spiel from Mr Sherborne, who represents 51 "victims" of press malpractice, about allegations that the McCanns had something to do with Madeleine's disappearance to say:
There is absolutely no foundation at all that the allegations that emerged through the press at this time that Dr and Dr McCann were involved in any way in any inappropriate conduct in relation to the disappearance of their daughter.
Questioned by Leveson, asking again about handing in fragile stories, whether he felt this was right.
Leveson asks wasn't the very fact that information was difficult to come by from the police a story in itself?
Is it unfair of me, Leveson says, to ask after all that happened with the McCanns, why did press act in a similar way to Mr Jefferies? Fagge answers only that Leveson may take that view, but he wasn't there.
"14:48 Fagge says the bosses of the Daily Express were "obsessed" with the Madeleine McCann story:
The Madeleine story was on the front page of the Daily Express more than any other newspaper because the editor decided it would sell newspapers. It became an obsession of his."
YR:
Senior News Reporter.
Was also in Portugal to report on the McCann story. Had 14 or 15 sources. Wide variety in Portugal.
Had no source into the police. More than 2 journalists TV and press. He and Pilditch helped Portuguese media with the British side to the story.
Oct. 2007 - Story - originated in Portuguese news paper. Had 14 questions to be sent over to the British police to be answered. Same source gave them the 'Tapas 9' story and the supposed suspicions about the McCanns' friends. Flanagan says he wasn't alone working on this story. Not trying to evade responsibility. Intimating he had made clear to the Newsdesk that the story would be difficult to stand up. He suggests his managers would have been able to tell whether the story would stand up and that the sources were credible.
Says so many journalists in Portugal at same time - pressure to write something.
Says in Portugal wasn't a case of can I stand the story up, but what can I find to write today?
Would discuss with newsdesk throughout the day what was happening. Lot of material to work through too. He felt the newsdesk was fully aware what he was writing and what his sources were.
Working in a foreign country with their legal conditions was very difficult. Jay asks why write the story at all. Flanagan says it would be a very brave reporter to tell newsdesk you couldn't write a story.
Huge appetite in UK, in Newsdesk at Express for the story.
Flanagan says felt Express were more likely to settle out of court than fight litigation.
Flanagan at #leveson : you're sent there to produce stories, rather than investigate yourself & find if there's anything worth writing about
YR:
On being questioned by Leveson about the fragility of a storyline, Flanagan says journalists feel the need to fill a vacuum.
Leveson: surely you don't want to fill the papers with stories which can be very damaging to people and are complete piffle. Flanagan says journos do the best they can with what they've got. Flanagan now apologising to McCanns.
Says they had an advisory from the Dowlers explaining how upsettingseeing photo almost every day of their daughter in the papers. (there is a picture of Madeleine McCann in the Express at least once a week, as well as those of Princess Diana which appear at regualr intervals!)
Interview ends.
YR:
Jay asks Hipewell what guidance as to ethics there was at the Daily Mirror. Joined Daily Mirror after being in journalism for 7 years. Trained in Magazine journalism. Was not given PCC code to follow either there or in magazines. Never saw copy of code at the Mirror (Piers Morgan said it was always prominently displayed yesterday)
Jay reading from Hipwell's court case where judge commented that there was obviously no guidance given to Hipwell.
PCC 1999 and 2000 ruled that Mr Morgan 'had breached the Code of practice......and had not made sure his staff....' Hipwell agrees with what the PCC ruled.
Hipwell had no ethical training at Mirror, nor had any lead from editors re ethics.
Direct line manager was Morgan.Morgan insisted that Hipwell and his partner were answerable to him and him alone. The City Slicker desk was next to Morgan's.
Morgan loved Hipwell's column and wanted to learn about what they were writing about. Morgan very 'hands on' in the newsroom. QWould come and look at what was on their screens. Morgan made recommendations about changing it. Very involved. Daily contact. He was the Editor, everything stopped with him. He was the Dear Leader. Strong minded, enormous charm and charisma. Paper was him. He did a very good job. Flair. Fresh inviting newspaper.(in direct contradiction of Morgan's evidence of 5% editorial oversight yesterday)
Showbusiness team was within 3 feet of Hipwell's desk. Showbiz team was at least 10 people, all sitting together.
Reading from Hipwell's evidence - reveals how much phone-hacking went on at the Mirror. Hipwell was taught how to do it. Journos at the Mirror seems to know that journalists from the Sun were also hacking. Hipwell says although it was 12 years ago, he remembers it clearly. Mainly talking about Mirror Showbiz desk.
Hipwell says that to him it wasn't ethical, but seemed to be considered the norm at the Mirror. Happened every day. Says Mirror Showbiz stories came from that method.
Hipwell did not report this or mention it to Piers Morgan because he thought although it was thought of as slightly underhand, it wasn't considered illegal. The Showbiz desk made no attempt to hide phone-hacking methods from their managers. Hipwell says Morgan must have known because of the style of Editor he was.
Hipwell says Morgan very interested in Showbiz gossip and would take great interest in the celeb stories. Because of legal ramifications, the journos must have told the editors how they got the stories.
He did not see hacking discussed in front of the real executives at the Mirror, but with the editors.
Now talking about the Herald Sun in Australia where Hipwell's assertions re phone-hacking were strongly denied.
Each desk - Royal, Health, Showbiz etc -
From Guardian Live Blog:
"Hipwell says hacking was openly discussed in front of editorial management.
Senior editors are considered managers on newspapers. The news editor, the show business editor; they are considered the newspaper managers although they are editorial.
I did not see hacking talked about in front of genuine management of the company although I did see it discussed with senior editorial managers"
#leveson Newscorp Inc owns Melbourne paper the Herald-Sun and The Australian-national paper. Murdoch owns approx 70% of Aus papers
YR:
Jay asks if it is true that a colleague hacked into the voicemail of Piers Morgan - Hipwell says was at beginning of 2000 - did it right next to Hipwell.
From Guardian Live Blog:
"Leveson tells Hipwell that this is not how it has been presented in the past, he says it was an "assertion". They are discussing an article in the Guardian in which he said the Mirror found out about Ulrika Jonsson's affair with Sven-Goran Eriksson from a voicemail left by the then England coach on the TV presenter's phone."
YR:
Now discussing the movement of journalists from one paper to another. Showbiz desk at Mirror had people from the Sun etc. Seems to be suggesting that the ph-hacking habit was spread from News Int. to other titles. Legal scrutiny at Mirror: Hipwell says in-house lawyer was used to assess for libel. Says the legal team took a special interest in the City Slickers desk because the paper were having influx of letter in complaining about the column. Victot Kayam mentioned. Lawyer asked to look at all copy before it went out for printing.
Hipwell assumed all columnists had to do this to prevent litigation.
From Guardian Live Blog:
"Cruddace asked that the raw copy would be emailed to him before it went to the page layout artist.
We did that for at least a year before we left the Mirror ... We did what were told and sent him our copy first."
YR:
Hipwell says Morgan would be there late at night looking at screens, changing headlines, re-writing copy. Stamped his authority on every page. 'Cult of Piers' was what the paper was all about.
Hipwell says he was not "aware of a journalist at the Mirror who ever withheld a source from the editor" #Leveson
YR:
Hipwell says all journos under pressure to deliver stories. Morgan was threatening and told journos he would sack them. Sent out emails. (Morgan did not deny this yesterday)
Hipwell thinks Morgans's methods were 'menacing'.
Hipwell says there is no financial advantage to getting a scoop. Now on to the Insider Dealing case:
Hipwell has written that Morgan was as guilty as Hipwell and the other columnist charged with Insider Dealing, but that he got away with it. They all traded on the same information. Morgan had more more money.
Says Morgan bought £67 000 worth of Viglen (owned by Alan Sugar) shares the day before Hipwell's column went out in wife's name.
Leveson asks if Hipwell knew that what they did was against the law. he dropped the Tip of the Day when his partner was away on holiday, but Morgan noticed and made him reinstate it. Hipwell says they got too enthusiastic, and that it was right that he was held to account. Leveson asks what Hipwell did or what he was encouraged to do to make sure what the 'four corners of the regime' should be.
Hipwell says there was no consideration of the ethics of the case.
Article by David Pilditch in Daily Express October 2009
YR:
Jay asks about Pilditch' involvement in covering the Madeleine McCann story.
'Uniquely challenging' covering this story.
Getting to the truth of the matter was very difficult because the police were bound by confidentiality
Pilditch says the McCanns were left to do the work the police would normally do.
Throughout the whole of the investigation there was no strategy where there should have been focus.
Leveson asks whether that should have been the story. (lack of focus by police)
From Guardian Live Blog:
"The inquiry is now talking about a series of defamatory articles written in the Express. He is being asked if he was responsible for the headline on one story naming the McCanns as "prime suspects". Pilditch says this would be the job of the editor or the night editor. The story starts by saying "Kate and Gerry McCann are still regarded as the prime suspects in the disappearance of their daughter". Pilditch explains he "didn't really write this story"; that it had another journalist, "Nick Fagge's name on it"."
DP: A lot of pressure as press presence from all over Britain and Europe. You can't not cover the story. #Leveson
Guardian Live Blog:
"Pilditch explains how stories about suspects would emerge.
The police had been round the resort and other areas on their own inquiries and we were finding out lines of inquiries from local people. They were given descriptions of potential suspects and when a whole of witnesses giving the same description you have a pretty good idea of what the police were working on."
YR:
Pilditch says his sources were Portuguese. Senior officers in the Portuguese police were briefing unofficially and he was able to develop a dialogue with them Also some of the local journalists who were talking to them every day.
Was able to obtain an accurate and truthful picure of the investigation. Jay says best he could do was to get information from the 2 Portuguese journalists who were talking to the police.
Pilditch says he was satisfied that the information was accurate. Confirmed that his source was dealing with the most senior officers in the case. Due to the secrecy, was impossible to verify to any proper legal standard.
Pilditch: told news desk about discomfort writing stories that he didn't know were 100 per cent correct #leveson
YR:
Hilditch said he told his newsdesk of the difficulties he was having and that they were treading a very fine line legally, and they listened.
Sept 2007 - Sept 2008 some defamatory stories. Jay asks if he didn't see that publishing stories which wouldn't stand up was a risky business. Pilditch says he was given conflicting advice by Portuguese lawyers which seemed to suggest matters were different. Jay suggesting Pilditch actions at the time bring in contempt of court issues.
From GuardianLive Blog:
"When the McCann's were named as "aguidos", it was not something that could be ignored. The lawyers in Portugal that effectively an aguido is a suspect and it gives the police an opportunity to put much tougher questions than they would to a witness and I think the McCanns themselves were given very tough questions. Leveson intercepts and suggests it's like "active proceedings" in UK law when reporting restrictions are in place for the press.
11.55am: Pilditch says he shared his discomfiture with his newsdesk
We may not be able to defend these things because we may not be able to get confirmation. They took that on board.
He added:
I am not a legal expert, but I felt that the situation as it presented itself, that was the case. I'm certain the newsdesk would have conversations with lawyers about this. There would have been discussions - that was the situation we were in and there was no way around it."
Pilditch explaining that as Nick Fagge's name first on byline, he wrote majority of story. DP only submitted small part of copy. #Leveson
YR:
Jay finds it amusing that Pilditch says he's doesn't know who wrote in the story ' 10 fingers of suspicion'.
Pilditch is becoming more and more vague and forgetful.....
Can't remember if he used those words. he files his story and there are others who change the copy perhaps. he presented a story and he can't tell Jay, Leveson whether the final words printed were his.
Jay suggests that he looked at Portuguese newspapers and compiled his 10 points for the Express story from those. Pilditch disagrees.
From Telegraph Live Blog:
"Jay is now quizzing Pilditch about the language used in a story that referred to the "10 fingers of suspicion".The story also reports that "Portuguese detectives could fly to Britain for make or break interviews". Jay puts it to him that the language is "quite heightened" and Pilditch is making it sound like guilt or innocence would turn on these interviews. Pilditch says he can't remember if he wrote the exact words - the article was written four years ago. Leveson now asks whether he reads his own stories?"
Pilditch: the problem with a lot of this stuff was the way that information was leaking out (for McCanns' stories) #leveson
GuardianLive Blog:
"The inquiry is now talking about the priest who helped comfort the McCanns in Portugal in the wake of their daughter's disappearance. Referring to a story about the "tormented police", Jay observes "this is rather a loaded story".
The priest, it says, felt under tremendous emotional strain because of some sort of confession had been given to him by Dr Kate McCann. The story says 'The tormented priest insisted he would stand by his vows and take his secrets to the grave'.
Jay says it was "journalistic licence" to assert "that the priest not merely stands by his religious obligation but that he would be taking the secret to his grave because he was given a confession by Dr McCann". He says everything in this last sentence about the grave is an "inference". "You weren't told that by anyone were you?"
"Leveson puts it to Pilditch that he was repackaging "tittle tattle" that exposed newspapers exposed to massive damage claims.Leveson asks did Pilditch make the paper aware of the "extreme fragility" of the information?
All the things that are being written, about the priest... it's all fluff, there's nothing to it
Pilditch says:
It's not tittle tattle, because it was information coming from senior detectives who were investigating the case."
"I want this inquiry to mean something", not end up as "footnote in some professor of journalism'sanalysis of 21 century history." LJ Leveson in reply to A Rusbridger's submission to Inquiry.
Lord Justice Leveson
The Panel :
Top row (left to right)
Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights group Liberty
George Jones, former Daily Telegraph political editor
Sir David Bell, former chairman of the Financial Times
Bottom row (Left to right)
Elinor Goodman, former Channel 4 political editor
Lord David Currie, former chairman of Ofcom
Sir Paul Scott-Lee, former West Midlands chief constable
Here's a quick reminder of the four modules within this first year of the inquiry.
Module 1: The relationship between the press and the public and looks at phone-hacking and other potentially illegal behaviour Module 2: The relationships between the press and police and the extent to which that has operated in the public interest Module 3: The relationship between press and politicians Module 4: Recommendations for a more effective policy and regulation that supports the integrity and freedom of the press while encouraging the highest ethical standards.
Chronology of the phone-hacking investigation since 2005 - long, very detailed article from New York Times. Written by Don Van Natta Jnr, Jo Becker and Graham Bowley, Sept. 1st 2010 :here
1.28 p.m. "This just broken from News Int - the publisher of the News of the World has settled a cluster of phone hacking claims against politicians and celebrities -
News International can confirm that seven claims against News Group Newspapers (NGN) and Glenn Mulcaire have been settled following discussions with News Corporation's Management and Standards Committee, acting on behalf of NGN. The claims are Mark Oaten, Ulrika Jonsson, Abi Titmuss, Michelle Milburn, Paul Dadge, James Hewitt and Calum Best. NGN has agreed to pay appropriate sums by way of compensation and costs and have expressed regret for the distress caused."
"Chris Johnson a journalist with news agency Mercury Press will give evidence after 11.30am. He is there in his capacity as the treasurer of the National Association of Press Agencies.
He was mentioned as a representative of one of the "reputable" agencies by the former News of the World executive editor Neil Wallis."
YR:
Mr Jay is questioning Chris Johnson and Matthew Bell jointly.
Begins by asking hoq the NAPA Code differs from the NUJ Code. gatekeeper of the Press - vet and issue Press Cards on behalf of NAPA. Have to be members of NAPA.
NAPA has 60 members in UK, Europe and US.
Change in News values: Merseyside news. Do less local court and council news. Demand from nationals seems to be mainly celeb news. Not only tabloid press, but also 'heavy' press demanding more celeb type stories. Little local news makes it to national press.
Provide news on spec to nationals.
Papers pay differently for stories. Daily Mail may pay more than the Guardian for similar stories. Rates have not kept up with inflation.
Matthew Bell: - Fewer people in provincial and national press do more work, now because of falling revenue levels. All done at much faster pace because of the internet. No longer have to read copy over phone 8 times to 8 different newspapers.
Commercial pressure great on papers and journalists. Little time or money for investigative journalism.
Newspapers/magazines want celebrity photos, paparazzi-style pictures.
Chris Johnson defines 'paparazzi' - arrangements made with ethical photographers who stick to rules made at events etc. Matthew Bell: Paparazzi do not always comply with rules - should be some tightening up of press-card rules. CRB check on those seeking allocation of Press cards, he suggests would be a good idea in future.
Matthew Bell suggests there are those paparazzi who are behaving in a way which is unacceptable.
Chris Johnson says there are anecdotes of photographers hunting in packs, chasing and provoking celebrities. NAPA would not allow their photographers to behave like that. Matthew Bell says if one of his reporters has been working with a photographer who can't account for the way the picture has been taken he would not be happy. If there's a complaint about a NAPA member, they work to seek a remedy. Chris Johnson - last 5 years less than 5 complaints to NAPA.
Privacy: Agency discusses Privacy issue with commissioning newspaper. Last year or two, has been much more discussion about privacy and public interest.
Grief: occasions when asked to knock on a door of someone who has had a tragedy, talk to them, pay a tribute etc. Rule that only go to the home once. Agency work is pooled between 5 or 6 newspapers. Code of practice adhered to.
Some people are hostile, some it's possible to become friends with and keep in touch with. Jamie Bulger's mother has been friend and client for over 17 years. This saves her being pressed constantly by the press as a whole. Madeleine McCann's case is considerably different because of sheer volume of global interest.
24 hr news, instant reporting, means that often the TV outnumbers the press when sending reporters.
All journalists are becoming tarred with the same brush. This worrying them. Reason they wanted to come to Leveson to speak up. Put record straight.
Sunday People wouldn't run picture of Gary Speed's wife and son because hadn't permission, - Independent allegedly ran it (Ed: don't know whether the Independent had permission)
Johnson: we apply the PCC code of conduct #leveson
YR:
Jay asks lawyers' question of Bell: Peppiatt 2008 wasn't kept on beyond 6 months probationary period - Bell: had amicable discussion RP didn't quite have the background in journalism we thought he had when we took him on - couldn't send him to report on court etc. Didn't check his background - mutually agreed to part company as friends.
MB: I strongly feel there are some very good journalists who you would classify as tabloid. [Name-checks Mazher Mahmood]. #Leveson
From Guardian Live Blog:
"Lord Justice Leveson asks how "critical" local news about hospitals, courts and community services can be protected.Bell says Leveson's concern "is absolutely right" – he says it would be unlikely to find a local reporter in a magistrate's court these days because newspapers cannot afford to have them there.
Unfortunately, local newspapers commercially are being driven into the ground. The sort of people we recruit are becoming fewer and fewer, because local papers are hiring fewer people ... at the moment they're involved in a terrific fight.
You've touched on what is, in my opinion, the most critical aspect of the media at the moment – the local media.
Johnson says the days of sending reporters along to "scribble down" notes on council meetings are gone. But the "malaise is about producing advertising revenue".
Johnson says the number of revenue-generating adverts is "infinitesimally small" compared with the cost of producing content.
The value placed on advertising on the internet is distorting the value of the material that is being presented to the reader.
He says the Daily Mail is now one of the biggest online newspapers and is now the second biggest news source in the US, behind the New York Times with 70m subscribers worldwide.
Yet the Daily Mail pays us £40. There is something very strange: a story gets published worldwide only gets £40."
Sharon Marshall
Sharon Marshall, former TV Editor, NotW
FromGuardianLive Blog:
"Sharon Marshall, TV critic for This Morning, will also testify. She worked on the News of the World as the TV editor but it is understood that Leveson has called her as a witness to discuss her book Tabloid Girl."
'I didn't know I was starting a life where I'd be asked to do three impossible things before breakfast, and be sworn at by four celebrities by lunch. I just thought, hey, I've got a job on a tabloid.' Sharon Marshall was a tabloid reporter for ten years. Along the way she saw and did some Very Bad Things. She also had a spectacularly lousy love life. It took the entire decade to realise the two may be connected. In her hilariously honest memoirs she reveals what really goes on behind the scenes at a major tabloid newspaper. What lengths will a tabloid hack go to, just to get the story? What do celebrities (secretly) do to get into the headlines? And can a job which involves fighting with.....
From Guardian Live Blog:
"She joined in the mid-1990s as a "shifter".She worked at the Daily Star, the Daily Express, joined the Sunday People in 1998.
She worked at the News of the World between 2002 and 2004 and joined the Sun contributing to a humorous lifestyle column in 2006."
#leveson Sharron Marshall discreet as ever. Managers 'less than idyllic'. Said individuals responsible not culture. 'Byline was everything'
From Guardian Live Blog:
"Were any of her colleagues fired for ethical breaches during her time on tabloid newspapers. "I left eight years ago, I can't recall any instance off the top of my head."
Can she recall any instances of line managers telling a reporter off or holding them to account?
"I can't think of any off the top of my head, sorry."
Was it common for editors to raise their voices.
I wouldn't say editors plural, there are individuals on newspapers... some individuals are angrier than others."
SM: Was asked to stay by Ed. Didn't feel I could work on paper anymore. I fell out of love with the whole industry. #Leveson
From Guardian Live Blog:
"Marshall resigned after being asked to do something unethical. She tells the inquiry about a celebrity story which she had been asked to stand up.
In her resignation letter she said she had been asked to breach the PCC code.
I didn't feel that I could work on the paper any more.
The story concerned a celebrity allegedly being cheated on.
I don't want the celebrity in question's name to be put into the public. She has children and it's a few days before Christmas
[The] celebrity who was pregnant at the time and I was told that her partner was cheating on her and photographic evidence [of this]...but the photograph was two years old, so I knew the story was untrue. ... I just made sure I killed it.
it was never going to be published, i would never have allowed it to be published."
YR:
Says her book is 'heightened reality' when pressed by Leveson to say whether the book is a true story.
Barr says that she does state in her book that the stories are true.
Says she was writing a comedy, not what they actually did. Barr now quoting the blurb, she says context is everything.
Barr asks if the traits were evident in the colleagues she actually worked with. She says although she writes with affection about her colleagues, now that she knows more about what went on in the press newsrooms, she would write very differently now.
Worked on 7 different titles - book is an amalgamation of them all.
Barr says that she says in the book that everything in it is true, actually happened. Now saying it wasn't intended to be a legal document. Marshall interviewed journalists in pubs for example, and got them to tell 'legends' - Leveson now says what she wrote is either accurate or not - she says the 'top spin' was to make it a 'good tale'.
#Leveson: I think what you mean is I shouldn't read into this that you're applauding the type of activity I have heard about during Inquiry.
Guardian Live Blog:
"There is no another slightly tense exchange with Leveson and Marshall.She is being asked about a character to "robohack" in her book. Robohack got a headline story 'frantic coke and sex session' involving a TV star. He had conned his girlfriend at the time into revealing secrets about her famous friend by taping their conversations.
I was creating a heinous character...that was supposed to repel the reader. I thought it was a useful tale, a useful narrative. I didn't do any legal documents. It was a bit of top spin.
Leveson intervenes again.
What do you mean as top spin? Lying?
I shouldn't have allowed it to be called a true story, [I should have said] based on a true story."
Read more very interesting details from Sharon Marshall's evidence at Guardian Live Blog
Video - Piers Morgan Row With Louise Mensch MP Over Claims Morgan Hacked Phones
Piers Morgan and Rebekah Brooks
Piers Morgan is to be interviewed via Video link from US.
From Guardian Live Blog during Leveson Inquiry break: "While the inquiry gets the video link set up, here's a reminder of what he said in his book:
Monday 10 April 2000
[Morgan gets back to the Mirror office to find Kate Winslet saying she's pulling out of the paper's Pride of Britain awards]
Someone had got hold of her mobile phone number – I never like to ask how – so I rang her. A voice answered and sounded a bit like Kate, but said she wasn't and she would take a message ... I was sure it was her. [Half an hour later she rings back.] "Hello," she said, sounding a bit taken aback. "How did you get my number, I've only just changed it. You've got to tell me, please. I am so worried now; if the press get my number, then I have to change it."
"Relax Kate, I won't be giving it to anyone."
Friday 26 January 2001
[Morgan talking about being called to another DTI interview re the Viglen "City slickers" affair, which results in "a flurry of calls from journalists asking about it"]
Given that the DTI has not to my knowledge leaked anything about this case to anyone, I am mystified. But someone suggested today that people might be listening to my mobile phone messages. Apparently if you don't change the standard security code that every phone comes with, then anyone can call your number and, if you don't answer, tap in the standard four digit code to hear all your messages. I'll change mine just in case, but it makes me wonder how many public figures and celebrities are aware of this little trick."
YR:
Jay asks about turnover at newspapers and Morgan says there is great turnover between tabloids and broadsheets, tho' the broadsheets won't like to admit it.
Asks about Morgan's book and he says it's the best record of events as far as he could be certain.
From Guardian Live Blog:
Morgan is being asked about Bizarre, the showbiz column he edited on the Sun, and why show business journalists are so prevalent at the top of newspapers.
Jay asks if this prominence is an index of the current interest in showbiz.
Morgan says it is "pompous" and "patronising" to say show business journalists can't progress to serious news or senior positions.
He adds that people like Martin Dunn, who went on to edit the New York Daily News, are proper serious journalists.
Code of Practice displayed prominently in Mirror Newsroom.
Looking at Morgan's Statement. Gives examples of ethical consideration by his Newsroom:
Gave back and didn't print a copy he'd been given of the budget in advance. wasn't sure it was a true version. Would it cause market turmoil? Says was first praised by Guardian and then castigated.
Decided not to publish the name of the then Home Secretary's son in a story etc.
Morgan is being asked about methods of News gathering:
Benjy the Bin-man was used. Jay reads about him from Morgan's book. Had documents on Elton John. Morgan didn't think it was illegal but on the borders of ethical. Again, questioning the ethics of the Guardian. Says they recycle news from the tabloids.
Now debating whether it's legal to take things from rubbish tips. Morgan doesn't think taking things from bins is unethical.
Whittamore - Morgan wasn't aware of him until recently when story broke.
Now on to Operation Motorman and ICO - Jay asks if he saw the data. Morgan says he is. Was he aware of what information journalists were commissioning from Whittamore.
Says an Editor is only aware of about 5% of what his journalists are doing at any one time. Doesn't know who commissioned Whittamore. Didn't come across his desk.
Jay asking when he became aware of the method of phone-hacking, Morgan can't remember. Says was 10 years ago. Press Gazette article - in which Morgan said he felt sorry for Clive Goodman.
Again mentions that there was the News of the World phone-hacking and the Guardian! He thought that was all.
Piers Morgan saying he thinks Clive Goodman was made a scapegoat. Knew him at the News of the World.
He thought his phone had been hacked and he didn't like the idea.
Now Piers talks about 'the person I can't remember who told me' about hacking. Has he got early-onset Alzheimers? #leveson
Now discussing when he claimed to have heard the voicemail tape of Heather Mills and Paul McCartney. Says he will not discuss when and where. Has been told he doesn't have to. Jay reads what Morgan said about the contents of the voicemail. Doesn't feel listening to it was unethical. Leveson intervenes - only person who could listen to the tape ethically would be the lady herself or someone on her behalf. Leveson offers to call Lady McCartney to ask her if she authorised him to listen to the voicemail. Morgan says he knows that PM says that HM used to tape his calls and offer them to the papers.
Jay now asks whether it was an employee at the Daily Mirror. Morgan won't say in case it identifies his source.
From Guardian Live Blog:
"Jay says the Daily Mirror was the top of the list of offenders and "you well know that".
Morgan hits back:
You also well know that not a single person has made a formal complaint against a Daily Mirror journalist, so why would you say that?"
Now on to Ulrika Johnson - Morgan doesn't remember anything about the details. Doesn't recall telling a BT man at lunch that they should advise customers to change their pin numbers.
"Jay asks Morgan about the information made available to the PCC about his shares in Viglen.
The full information on the share purchases were not provided in the first instance to the PCC. Morgan says the information was not supplied by him but by Trinity Mirror and Jay will have to ask the publisher for further details."
Morgan: Undercover footman - we exposed series of loopholes in security around the royals - absolutely the right thing to do #leveson
Piers Morgan in Diary writes that he had 56 Face to face meetings with Tony Blair. Quickly adds that Alastair Campbell was there some of the time. Discussed the way the paper would treat the Labour party.
Jay reads an extract from the book - in which he says Murdoch would have been pleased with a speech from Tony Blair gave at party conference.
Murdoch said according to Morgan's book that he would seriously consider backing Tony Blair.
Sherbourne now asking supplementary questions.
Asking about Steven Nott's evidence that Oonagh Blackman was contacted by Nott and was keen to learn more about what he'd discovered about phone-hacking possibility. She then went quiet on the story and dropped Nott.
Morgan dismisses Steve Nott, his website and his evidence as slightly 'barking'. Morgan very dismissive and contemptuous. Morgan says he knew nothing about it, though Nott was sent £100 later that year. The article for which Nott was paid was called 'Mobile Phone Scandal' but never printed. Morgan knows nothing.
'I think you are massively inflating the importance of this character' (Nott) ..
Jay intimating Morgan learnt about the practice of phone-hacking from Steve Nott's approach to Oonagh Blackman.
Morgan insists on being able to complain that he feels it's been a little like a rock star having to listen to his worst records being paraded before him, whereas he knows that there has been and is a great deal which is admirable about the press. Very defensive demeanour.
Session ends here.
" He has supplied the inquiry with historic emails which show notifications he got from various parties including lawyer Sarah Webb notifiying him that Miller was going to make a claim in May. He also received a letter from the Metropolitan Police in relation to the matter in May.
Pike is being recalled in relation to an attendance note for a meeting in May 2010 which related to Sienna Miller.
He was asked about this last week after David Sherborne, counsel for Miller and other phone hacking victims, queried how he knew about the actress's claim before it became public."
"The attendance note for the meeting 13 May 2010 was typed up on June 15. The typist had the document open for 6 hours and 16 minutes, Leveson hears.
There is no reference in the attendance note to the alleged relationship between Mark Lewis and Charlotte Harris, Robert Jay, counsel for the Leveson inquiry observes.
Pike had previously said that was discussed."
Steve Turner
Steve Turner
Chief Executive of the British Association of Journalists. Represented Matthew Driscoll (gave evidence yesterday) at his Tribunal for Unfair Dismissal.
Turner is with the British Association of Journalists, which is the union recognised by News Group Newspapers, parent of Sun/Notw #leveson
YR:
Steve Turner wants to stress that money is a factor in what newspapers get up to. Pressure put on journalists to produce stories and cut corners. Some newspapers and not others. News Int most successful, although they have circulation 'challenges'. He has nothing concrete to say about the phone-hacking, he says, but wants to say why it might have happened. Bullying: Declining editorial work-force, diminishing workforce, need to produce more good stories. Has had complaints in his job about people whose working live is 'a bit of a misery', only recourse to take out a grievance complaint. Bullied staff have left with meagre payoff, made to keep quiet, while bullies are not sacked. NotW - People who complain about bullying and go to Turner's Association for help have their cards marked and this may leave to victimisation.
Unique thing about the NotW - complaints by NotW were usually phony - complainant would settle to get away from the situation where things were made difficult for them and they were shown they were not wanted. Phony charges, people got the message that it was time to move on.
In 3 cases in particular, the charges brought by NotW were phony. Turner can't talk about them for fear of breaching the 3 victims' confidentiality and making things worse for them.
All of the cases at NotW Turner was involved with moved on - often had breakdowns (as with Matt Driscoll) or were left very affected by what happened to them.
Confidentiality agreements mean you can't talk and can't then sue for unfair dismissal. Turner thinks you should be able to talk about what happened.
Now telling of a specific case of false-reporting at a tabloid (won't say which one) where he was involved in disciplinary hearings. They had a specific name for these made up stories.
Guardian Live Blog:
"Turner is now being asked about a case he was involved in about fabrication of stories in an unnamed tabloid about five or six years ago. The newspaper made up stories and used "teenagers of 14, 15 or 16 who were only too willing to be pictured" to illustrate them.
It was one of those situations where the newspaper wanted to have a regular column about extraordinary happenings to people, but obviously was quickly going to run out of [genuine stuff]
There was a name in the office for these articles he said which would confirm these stories were fabricated."
YR:
When asked by C Patry Hoskins, Turner states all of his cases come from tabloid papers. Leveson seems to be asking whether he has any evidence or if the stories are simply hearsay.
Turner seems to be talking about events which happened 7 or so years ago.
YR:
Mentions that Express Group, apart from the Proprietor (Desmond) seem to have fewer bullies.
From Guardian Live Blog:
"Turner says one of the biggest problems in newspapers is the army of "second class citizens" employed.
The biggest are of injustice in newspapers is the are of regular casuals where most national newspaper groups employ large numbers of people who they chose to call casuals ... who work for the same paper for 10 or 20 years.
And they are treated like and 'as and when casuals' and when they are got rid of they either get no compensation or they get compensation that's inferior to permanent staff ...
There really should not be any army of second class citizens working in newspapers, but they do."
From Telegraph Live Blog:
"10.50Steve Turner, general secretary of the alternative journalists' union the BAJ, has outlined a number of cases in which he alleges journalists were forced to make up stories. He said that one senior executive once told a reporter:
I don't want a story about a bent policeman I want a story about a whole bent police force."
There is absolutely no foundation at all that the allegations that emerged through the press at this time that Dr and Dr McCann were involved in any way in any inappropriate conduct in relation to the disappearance of their daughter.
